Nursing FAQ

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Thank you in advance for your interest in the nursing program at Stanly Community College. The following list of questions have been compiled to help answer the most common questions related to the nursing program. This list of questions is not meant to take the place of collaborating with our admissions staff or student success coaches.

I am interested in nursing but just not sure if that is what I want to do. Can I talk to someone on campus?

Can I take general education courses before being admitted into the nursing program?

Yes. Although it is not required to take them first, it is recommended to take as many of those general education courses before admission into the nursing program as possible, especially BIO 168 and BIO 169 due to the time intensity of those courses while taking NUR courses. Anything other than courses beginning with the prefix of NUR can be taken before admission. Taking general education courses has no bearing on your admission status. ACA 122, a college success course specific to the resources of Stanly Community College, must be taken at SCC.

7. Do nursing applicants have to take a placement test, such as SAT or ACT?

What if I have taken the placement test (NCDAP, Accuplacer, Compass, Asset) elsewhere? Can I submit my scores?

Yes, if the scores are within the given time frame (see table of measures to prove college readiness). Once you have applied to the program, you may have your scores sent to admissions. These scores are not automatically part of your transcript and must be requested specifically to transfer.

If I have a bachelor’s degree is the placement test still required?

No. See the table of measures to prove college readiness.

How am I invited to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)?

Applicants to the ADN program that have met the requirements of section 4 of the admission process will be invited by admissions to take the TEAS test.

Can I take the TEAS elsewhere and have the results submitted to Stanly Community College?

No. The TEAS test must be taken at Stanly Community College. This ensures all applicants are held to the same testing standards.

12.How long is my TEAS score viable?

The score is good for 2 years and it must be the most current version given by the college.

Is there a cost associated with the TEAS test?

Yes. The test cost $58 each time it is taken. Perspective students may also purchase a study guide for the exam from the bookstore or online and practice tests from www.atitesting.com.

When do I find out if I have been granted conditional acceptance to the program?

Admissions will notify applicants, by mailed letter, around the beginning of March. Applicants that are on the alternate list will also receive notification by mailed letter. Information is accessible via Self-service after letters are mailed.

Please check that your application details and contact information are up-to-date to ensure communications are received. To update any changes go to the homepage, choose current students tab, choose forms for students, and under the admissions heading there is a choice for the information change form that best applies to you. The College is not responsible for missed admission deadlines due to student address changes.

Do I have to be a CNA I in order to be accepted into the program?

Yes. Applicants must submit a certificate of satisfactory completion from a DHSR (Division of Health Service Regulation) approved Nurse Assistant, Level I program, and current unrestricted certification in Nurse Assistant, Level I as listed on the NC Nurse Aid registry (http://www.ncnar.org). If an applicant is currently employed as a Nurse Assistant level I but cannot produce a certificate from a DHSR (Division of Health Service Regulation) approved Nurse Assistant, Level I program, documentation from the applicant’s current employer that the applicant has spent at least 240 hours providing patient care at the bedside may be submitted for consideration.

16.What happens if I do not get accepted the year I apply?

You must submit a new application to the nursing program each year that you are seeking admission. Applications do not remain active year to year.

Can I substitute other healthcare experience such as medical assistant or emergency medical technician for the CNA I requirement?

No. Healthcare experience other than Nurse Assistant level I is not considered in the application process.

Do I have to complete a drug test for the program?

Yes. As a requirement of clinical facilities, all students within the nursing curriculum must complete drug screening.

Do I have to complete a criminal background check as part of the admission requirements?

Yes. As a requirement of the clinical facilities, a criminal background check must be completed. The college does not see the criminal background check results nor give advice related to the results. Being accepted to the program does not mean you are automatically cleared to attend the clinical sites. If the clinical site denies a student clinical privileges, that student is withdrawn from the nursing program.

The required textbooks vary in price from year to year. Most books, required computer testing and supplies are purchased at the beginning of the program and are approximately $2000. A nursing kit and uniforms are approximately $300; Miscellaneous (i.e. student IDs, immunizations updated, criminal background check and drug screening) are approximately $300.

21. Do I need clinical uniforms and equipment before the program starts?

No. At a mandatory orientation session prior to your first day of nursing class, faculty will discuss the clinical uniforms and equipment in detail. The items can then be purchased at a retailer given to you by your nursing instructors.

22. Can I work while going to nursing school?

Nursing school is a demanding program. The decision to work is up to you individually. Every student is highly encouraged to apply for financial aid. See the “Are you ready?” document on the website for helpful hints to be successful in nursing school.

23. Is your program online?

The nursing program uses a hybrid approach to meet the educational needs of students. The classroom discussions are videoed. These can be watched from an off-campus site in real-time. In addition, the captured videos are uploaded on the learning management system for students to review throughout the semester. Watching classroom videos asynchronously or off-site should not be normal student behavior. Classroom learning often involves group work, hands-on experience, and other active learning strategies. It is expected that students attend class regularly.

Testing dates, lab dates (when applicable), and clinical dates are not offered in asynchronous formats and must follow a schedule. Expected clinical days that are mandatory to attend range anywhere from 5 days to 10 days a semester. Tests and other assignments requiring attendance range from 5 - 10 days per semester as well.

24. Where do I get a badge?

You will learn this information at the mandatory new nursing orientation prior to coming into the program.

25. Where do students participate in clinical experiences?

First year nursing students spend most of their clinical time for acute care nursing at either Atrium Health-Stanly in Albemarle or Atrium Health–Union in Monroe. Second year nursing students attend these sites, as well as Atrium Health-North East in Concord, and Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, and LTAC in Pineville. Other sites are used for isolated clinical experiences (i.e. schools, AA meetings).

26. Is the nursing program of SCC accredited?

Stanly Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Stanly Community College. External Web site: http://www.sacscoc.org

Stanly Community College’s Annie Ruth Kelley Associate Degree Nursing Program holds pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037. Holding pre-accreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received. The process takes approximately 3 years.